ThoughtGallery.org > NONCONFORMITY — Friday Night Conversation / TED Circle Discussion [Online]

NONCONFORMITY — Friday Night Conversation / TED Circle Discussion [Online]

Learn how to turn your greatest challenge into your most recognizable source of strength.

NONCONFORMITY: THE HIDDEN POWER OF NOT FITTING IN —

A Friday Night Conversation / TED Circle Discussion [Online]

Friday, May 8, 2020, 6:00 p.m. sharp – 7:30 p.m.

Presented by Conversations New York (www.conversationsnewyork.com)

NOTE: THIS FREE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ONLINE VIA ZOOM.

Subscription to Zoom is not required; a link will be provided after you register that will take you directly into the discussion.

FREE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED ON EVENTBRITE

TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK FOR THIS ONLINE EVENT:

https://nonconformity.eventbrite.com

FEATURED TED TALK:

“The Hidden Power of Not (Always) Fitting In,” by Marianne Cantwell:

https://youtu.be/cnooCepNZv4

HOST:

> Nikki Johnson, Founder, Fibonacci Events (https://fibonaccievents.com) and Enlightenment Wisdom (linkedin.com/company/enlightenment-wisdom)

NONCONFORMITY: THE HIDDEN POWER OF NOT FITTING IN

Failure to fit in with the majority of our peers or conform to any particular pre-cut mold can easily start to feel like a heavy burden, in a world that so often seems to require us to “check off the appropriate boxes” to participate and thrive as a card-carrying member of society.

But when we learn to look at it from the ideal perspective, this seemingly unbearable curse can be flipped on its head to become our greatest blessing — by enabling us to stand out from the crowd, as all of the most recognizable leaders inevitably do.

Before logging into this online discussion, take a quick look at this 18-minute TED Talk from Marianne Cantwell — author of the best-selling book Be A Free Range Human — who describes her personal story in converting what had once been identified as her greatest challenge into her most powerful source of strength: https://youtu.be/cnooCepNZv4/.

Then join us to share your own thoughts, insights, and experiences related to this topic, including:

1. In what ways do you feel that your personality traits or interests differ most significantly from the majority of society? To what degree have you learned to see your differences from conventional norms as true blessings instead of curses?

2. As a child, how easily did you fit in with your classmates at school? What tended to form the basis of your childhood relationships? Were there particular characteristics or shared interests that were most common among your friends as a child? (For instance, did you tend to gravitate toward other kids who shared your interest in sports, academics, art, playing music, etc.?) Or were there other factors that played a larger role in determining your grade-school friends?

3. During childhood, what do you most distinctly remember as points of difference between you and your peers? Were you teased about anything in particular as a child? How did you learn to handle these situations?

4. As an adult, how easily do you find it to make new friends and fit in with those you typically run across at work and in social settings?What have you found to be the best ways of meeting people who resonate well with you?

5. The speaker relates that — while she learned how to “play the part” of fitting in — she felt tremendously inauthentic in restricting her full-blown personality. Have you ever experienced these types of feelings in social situations? In what ways have you suppressed aspects of your personality for the sake of getting along with others, personally and / or professionally?

6. Has there ever been a time in your life when you decided to make dramatic changes in the way you presented your identity or personality toward others? What prompted you to make these changes? How were you received by others? How did you feel in projecting your external personality in a new way?

7. Do you have one primary source of passion in life that you enjoy doing above all other things? Or do you have a much wider array of interests and activities that you regularly engage in? Would you feel stuck if you were asked to pursue one primary type of activity alone?

8. The speaker identifies her favorite word as “liminal” — a term that she defines as “in a state of in-betweenness” — essentially not quite fitting into any one category, space, or identity. Do you identify with this concept? In what ways do your personality and / or interests defy any attempts at categorization?

9. One of the central ideas from the TED Talk is that “liminal” individuals ultimately need to carve out their own unique paths to success in order to feel happy and fulfilled — instead of looking for “pre-cut” roles that suit them in society at large — and this is precisely what defines the strongest leaders, innovators, changemakers, and creators. Do you agree with this idea? How would you describe what the speaker meant by it in your own words?

10. One basic premise of today’s TED Talk could potentially be seen as debatable — the idea that specialists (i.e., experts who excel in one particular field, subject, or niche) are more heavily rewarded in today’s society than generalists (i.e., those with broader skills and knowledge, not concentrated in any particular area)? Do you agree with this idea, based on your own experience? In terms of your current occupation, do you see yourself as more of a specialist or a generalist? Do you consider your degree of specialization to be an advantage or a disadvantage in your line of work?

11. Think about your own identity and your most recognizable characteristics for a few moments. How would you describe yourself, if someone wanted to know what truly distinguishes you from the average person? What are your greatest strengths and talents? What are your most unique and unusual traits?

We will be joined by members from a number of different Meetup groups for this discussion.

Looking forward to seeing all of you! In the meantime, stay safe and well!

This event is part of Friday Conversations New York (FCNY), which occur every Friday evening at 6:00 PM, sponsored by Conversations New York (www.conversationsnewyork.com). These free gatherings provide you with opportunities to share your thoughts and experiences on topics that matter, as a powerful way to evolve your mind continually!











When: Fri., May. 8, 2020 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Learn how to turn your greatest challenge into your most recognizable source of strength.

NONCONFORMITY: THE HIDDEN POWER OF NOT FITTING IN —

A Friday Night Conversation / TED Circle Discussion [Online]

Friday, May 8, 2020, 6:00 p.m. sharp – 7:30 p.m.

Presented by Conversations New York (www.conversationsnewyork.com)

NOTE: THIS FREE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ONLINE VIA ZOOM.

Subscription to Zoom is not required; a link will be provided after you register that will take you directly into the discussion.

FREE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED ON EVENTBRITE

TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK FOR THIS ONLINE EVENT:

https://nonconformity.eventbrite.com

FEATURED TED TALK:

“The Hidden Power of Not (Always) Fitting In,” by Marianne Cantwell:

https://youtu.be/cnooCepNZv4

HOST:

> Nikki Johnson, Founder, Fibonacci Events (https://fibonaccievents.com) and Enlightenment Wisdom (linkedin.com/company/enlightenment-wisdom)

NONCONFORMITY: THE HIDDEN POWER OF NOT FITTING IN

Failure to fit in with the majority of our peers or conform to any particular pre-cut mold can easily start to feel like a heavy burden, in a world that so often seems to require us to “check off the appropriate boxes” to participate and thrive as a card-carrying member of society.

But when we learn to look at it from the ideal perspective, this seemingly unbearable curse can be flipped on its head to become our greatest blessing — by enabling us to stand out from the crowd, as all of the most recognizable leaders inevitably do.

Before logging into this online discussion, take a quick look at this 18-minute TED Talk from Marianne Cantwell — author of the best-selling book Be A Free Range Human — who describes her personal story in converting what had once been identified as her greatest challenge into her most powerful source of strength: https://youtu.be/cnooCepNZv4/.

Then join us to share your own thoughts, insights, and experiences related to this topic, including:

1. In what ways do you feel that your personality traits or interests differ most significantly from the majority of society? To what degree have you learned to see your differences from conventional norms as true blessings instead of curses?

2. As a child, how easily did you fit in with your classmates at school? What tended to form the basis of your childhood relationships? Were there particular characteristics or shared interests that were most common among your friends as a child? (For instance, did you tend to gravitate toward other kids who shared your interest in sports, academics, art, playing music, etc.?) Or were there other factors that played a larger role in determining your grade-school friends?

3. During childhood, what do you most distinctly remember as points of difference between you and your peers? Were you teased about anything in particular as a child? How did you learn to handle these situations?

4. As an adult, how easily do you find it to make new friends and fit in with those you typically run across at work and in social settings?What have you found to be the best ways of meeting people who resonate well with you?

5. The speaker relates that — while she learned how to “play the part” of fitting in — she felt tremendously inauthentic in restricting her full-blown personality. Have you ever experienced these types of feelings in social situations? In what ways have you suppressed aspects of your personality for the sake of getting along with others, personally and / or professionally?

6. Has there ever been a time in your life when you decided to make dramatic changes in the way you presented your identity or personality toward others? What prompted you to make these changes? How were you received by others? How did you feel in projecting your external personality in a new way?

7. Do you have one primary source of passion in life that you enjoy doing above all other things? Or do you have a much wider array of interests and activities that you regularly engage in? Would you feel stuck if you were asked to pursue one primary type of activity alone?

8. The speaker identifies her favorite word as “liminal” — a term that she defines as “in a state of in-betweenness” — essentially not quite fitting into any one category, space, or identity. Do you identify with this concept? In what ways do your personality and / or interests defy any attempts at categorization?

9. One of the central ideas from the TED Talk is that “liminal” individuals ultimately need to carve out their own unique paths to success in order to feel happy and fulfilled — instead of looking for “pre-cut” roles that suit them in society at large — and this is precisely what defines the strongest leaders, innovators, changemakers, and creators. Do you agree with this idea? How would you describe what the speaker meant by it in your own words?

10. One basic premise of today’s TED Talk could potentially be seen as debatable — the idea that specialists (i.e., experts who excel in one particular field, subject, or niche) are more heavily rewarded in today’s society than generalists (i.e., those with broader skills and knowledge, not concentrated in any particular area)? Do you agree with this idea, based on your own experience? In terms of your current occupation, do you see yourself as more of a specialist or a generalist? Do you consider your degree of specialization to be an advantage or a disadvantage in your line of work?

11. Think about your own identity and your most recognizable characteristics for a few moments. How would you describe yourself, if someone wanted to know what truly distinguishes you from the average person? What are your greatest strengths and talents? What are your most unique and unusual traits?

We will be joined by members from a number of different Meetup groups for this discussion.

Looking forward to seeing all of you! In the meantime, stay safe and well!

This event is part of Friday Conversations New York (FCNY), which occur every Friday evening at 6:00 PM, sponsored by Conversations New York (www.conversationsnewyork.com). These free gatherings provide you with opportunities to share your thoughts and experiences on topics that matter, as a powerful way to evolve your mind continually!

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